The 2010 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 110th season. This year saw the passing of legendary Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell, and nearly saw the first perfect game thrown by a Tigers pitcher. The Tigers spent most of the season in 2nd or 3rd place. The third-place Tigers finished 13 games behind the AL Central Champion Minnesota Twins, with an 81–81 record and failed to make the playoffs.
Austin Jackson made the Tigers' opening day roster, and was American League Rookie of the Month for April. 2010 also saw the debuts of several rookies from the Tiger farm system, including Brennan Boesch, Scott Sizemore, Danny Worth, Casper Wells and Will Rhymes. Boesch was called up on April 23, 2010, and was named the AL Rookie of the Month for May and June.
The Tigers sent three players to the 2010 All-Star game. Miguel Cabrera and José Valverde were selected as reserves, and starter Justin Verlander was added to the team when another AL starter who was selected was unable to pitch due to scheduling. At the All-Star break, the Tigers were a half-game out of first place in the AL Central, behind the Chicago White Sox. But a slow start and injuries to key players Magglio Ordóñez, Carlos Guillén and Brandon Inge shortly after the break sent the Tigers into a tailspin. Closer Valverde would also suffer a series of nagging injuries down the stretch. The Tigers finished the season with an 81-81 record, good for third place, 13 games back of the division-winning Minnesota Twins. While playing outstanding baseball at home, the Tigers were just 29-52 on the road. Only the Seattle Mariners had fewer road wins than the Tigers among American League teams.
Among the season highlights were Miguel Cabrera hitting .328 with 38 home runs and an AL-best 126 RBI, earning the American League Silver Slugger Award at first base and finishing second in the AL MVP race (earning 5 of 28 first-place votes). Austin Jackson (.293 average, 103 runs, 181 hits, 27 stolen bases) finished second in the AL Rookie-of-the-Year voting. Justin Verlander enjoyed another strong season (18-9 record, 3.37 ERA, 219 strikeouts). After a slow start and a brief trip to the minors, Max Scherzer showed promise with a 12-11 record, 3.50 ERA and 181 strikeouts.
On July 26, the Tigers were on the losing end of Matt Garza's no-hitter in Tampa.
2009-10 Offseason activities
Personnel changes
On October 9, first base coach Andy Van Slyke announced he is leaving the team. On November 9, the Tigers hired Tom Brookens as their new first base coach. Brookens played on the 1984 World Series championship team and was most recently the manager of the team's Class-AA affiliate at Erie.
Releases
On November 6, the Tigers removed Marcus Thames and Matt Treanor from their 40-man roster, allowing them to become free agents. On November 16, the Tigers released Jarrod Washburn and Aubrey Huff to free agency.
On December 1, the Tigers released Plácido Polanco to free agency. On December 8, Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon turned down arbitration and became free agents.
Trades
On December 7, the Tigers traded Clay Rapada to Texas for a player to be named later or cash considerations. On December 9, the Tigers completed a 3 team deal. They gave Curtis Granderson to the Yankees and Edwin Jackson to the Diamondbacks and received Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth from Arizona and Austin Jackson and Phil Coke from New York. On December 21, the Tigers traded Dusty Ryan to San Diego for cash considerations or a player to be named later. On March 30, the Tigers traded Nate Robertson and cash considerations to Florida for Jay Voss and cash considerations.
Signings
On November 20, the Tigers purchased the contracts of Scott Sizemore, Audy Ciriaco, Ryan Strieby, and Brennan Boesch. On December 7, the Tigers signed Brad Thomas. Also on December 7, the Tigers re-signed Adam Everett to a one-year deal. On December 16, the Tigers re-signed Ramón Santiago to a two-year deal. On January 13, the Tigers re-signed Joel Zumaya, avoiding arbitration. On January 19, the Tigers signed José Valverde to a two-year deal. Also on January 19, the Tigers re-signed Gerald Laird, Zach Miner and Bobby Seay. On February 4, it was announced that Justin Verlander and the Tigers have reached a deal for an $80 million, 5-year contract extension. On February 22, the Tigers signed Johnny Damon to a one-year deal.